Despicable Villain

Prince Alexander Hayes's housewarming should have attracted a crowd of well-wishers, at least in theory.

But Alexander Hayes isn't one for lively crowds. He made it clear that only family was invited to celebrate. Outsiders sent their gifts ahead of time; no one wanted to show up uninvited and risk embarrassing themselves.

Today, all the relatives and friends from Evans Manor came, and even Margaret Evans was there.

Dr. Rowan Lin had wanted to come too, but since Margaret Evans was present and their wedding was imminent, he decided to avoid any awkwardness and sent Quentin Lin instead.

Quentin Lin, still grieving Lou Xiaolu, spotted Margaret Evans and immediately threw himself into her arms, whining, "Mommy, I missed you so much! You were only gone a few days, but I missed you so much my heart, liver, lungs—every part of me aches!"

Quentin Lin's adorable antics in Margaret Evans's arms had the whole Evans family roaring with laughter.

Mrs. Charlotte Evans, cradling her youngest son, teased, "Quentin, don’t worry. Tomorrow your dad will marry your mom and bring her home. After that, you can see her every day!"

Quentin Lin nodded eagerly, "Tomorrow, right? It better come quickly!"

His words sent everyone into another fit of laughter.

Since everyone here was family, there was no need for formalities. Most of these relatives and friends from Evans Manor used to live in Haizi Village and were long-time friends with Lucky Fool.

Even after Alexander Hayes regained his status, he never put on airs in front of these relatives. Over time, everyone just saw him as less silly than Lucky Fool, but still the same husband of Lily Evans, the same person as the village's Lucky Fool. No one was really afraid of him.

So when everyone got together, it was always relaxed and friendly—nothing like the formality and fear people showed Alexander Hayes in official settings.

This sense of family and belonging was something Alexander Hayes cherished deeply, having grown up without parental affection. He loved spending time with these adorable relatives and friends.

Mark Hunter was, of course, dragged off by Alexander Hayes for drinks and conversation. The two close friends hadn’t seen each other in ages. With a cup in hand, Alexander said, "Mark, let’s go! There’s an archery range and a stable behind the manor. Let’s stretch our muscles!"

Mark’s eyes lit up. "Great! Let’s have a contest!"

The two brothers-in-arms strode off, leaving the rest of the family to chat and drink tea, filling the house with warmth and laughter.

Just as everyone was chatting happily, a maid arrived to announce, "Princess Consort, there’s a guest at the door with gifts, here to congratulate the Prince and Princess Consort on their new home."

"Oh? Who is it? Didn’t the Prince say we weren’t inviting anyone today? Didn’t you tell them?" Lily Evans asked, puzzled.

The maid looked troubled. "Princess Consort, I did tell him, but he insisted on coming in to congratulate the Prince and Princess Consort personally. It’s Grand Tutor Gregory Gu Jr."

"Gregory Gu Jr.!?" Lily Evans’s face darkened. What on earth was Gregory Gu Jr. up to now?

Fourth Uncle Arthur Evans, not knowing that Lily Evans and Grand Tutor Gregory Gu Jr. had long since fallen out, chimed in, "Lily, didn’t you get along well with Grand Tutor Gregory Gu Jr. when you were at Phoenix Academy? Leonard Yuan wants to attend that academy, and I was hoping to ask the Grand Tutor for help getting him in."

Lily Evans was taken aback. "Fourth Uncle, didn’t the Prince already speak to the academy? Why hasn’t Leonard Yuan been admitted yet?"

Arthur Evans shook his head, a bit embarrassed. "No, I’ve asked at the academy several times, but they keep saying Leonard Yuan isn’t qualified. Wait, the Prince spoke to them? Then why won’t they let Leonard in? That’s odd."

Lily Evans’s expression turned grim. Odd? Most likely, Gregory Gu Jr. was using his position to take revenge and block Leonard Yuan’s admission!

What a petty villain—how dare he show up here today?